Red Bull’s young talent Isack Hadjar is at risk of being disqualified from qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix after a technical breach was discovered on his car.
The 21-year-old French driver initially impressed by securing ninth place during Saturday’s qualifying session. However, his result is now under serious threat following routine post-session inspections carried out by the FIA. These checks revealed that parts of his car failed to meet the sport’s strict design regulations.
Race day itself has already been impacted by weather concerns, with officials bringing the start time forward by three hours due to the risk of thunderstorms and lightning in Miami Gardens. The earlier start adds another layer of uncertainty to an already eventful weekend.
The issue with Hadjar’s car relates specifically to the floor boards, which are key aerodynamic components. These structures help control airflow around the car, improving stability and performance. FIA inspectors found that both sides of the floor extended around two millimeters beyond the allowed reference volume. While this may seem insignificant, Formula 1 regulations are extremely precise, and even the smallest deviation is considered a violation.
The irregularity was identified by FIA Technical Director Jo Bauer and subsequently reported to the race stewards. In an official statement, Bauer confirmed that the car did not comply with Article C3.5.5 of the technical regulations, prompting a formal review.
Hadjar has been summoned to appear before the stewards, who will determine the final outcome. Based on previous cases, the most likely penalty is disqualification from qualifying. If enforced, this would see his lap times removed from the results and force him to start the race from the pit lane, placing him at a significant disadvantage.
Such a setback would be frustrating for Hadjar, who has shown promising pace throughout the weekend. Starting from the pit lane would make it far more difficult for him to fight through the field and compete for points.
Meanwhile, his Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen remains in a strong position near the front of the grid. He will start just behind pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli, setting up an exciting contest at the front.
The stewards’ final decision is now awaited, but the situation highlights how strictly Formula 1 enforces its technical rules, where even minor infringements can carry major consequences.